TOLEDO, OH – Toledo Symphony today announced that Owens Corning has committed to make a gift of $250,000 to support the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), the new collaboration between the Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Ballet. Owens Corning’s pledge, the first charitable gift for the soon-to-be merged organizations, will be made in two installments in 2018 and 2019.

The gift from the Owens Corning Foundation will offer direct operating support to the newly formed alliance as the organizations merge their operations, artistic teams, and educational programs. In addition to securing a successful merger and transition for the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet, the Owens Corning gift is an expression of corporate support for the collaboration and innovation needed to sustain the arts.

“We’re excited to support the recently announced merger of two of our region’s most treasured performing arts organizations,” says Don Rettig, President of the Owens Corning Foundation. “The leadership of both were focused on the long-term sustainability of their individual art forms as they crafted this historic agreement. Our gift is intended to facilitate successful integration so that future generations can continue to enjoy performing arts in Toledo.”

“Rapid growth and change can be challenging for any organization,” says Zak Vassar, President & CEO of the Toledo Symphony and future head of the combined organizations. “Owens Corning’s gift will smooth the transition as we merge these storied institutions. TAPA aims to think boldly and raise the profile of the performing arts. This support will pave the way for our ideas to take flight and accelerate the impact that TAPA shall have in our community.”

Owens Corning’s support for the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet is a continuation of a decades-long philanthropic relationship. Its Chief Executive Officers and senior leadership have served as trustees of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet, and the company has provided both organizations with generous operational support annually.

“Historically, Owens Corning has encouraged collaboration across the performing arts, and their team was very enthusiastic about our discussions to form TAPA,” says Vassar. “This gift speaks to the character of Owens Corning and its commitment to arts and culture in our region. We are proud to have Owens Corning as a partner.” The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) will officially launch in January of 2019. The Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Ballet will operate as sibling brands under the TAPA umbrella. In the summer of 2019, the two organizations expect to combine their robust educational programs into a unified performing arts academy that will initially serve over 700 students from around the region.

ABOUT THE TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (TAPA): The Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet are the region’s oldest performing arts institutions. The Toledo Symphony, celebrating its 75th anniversary, is recognized as one of the finest regional orchestras in the country. The Toledo Ballet, celebrating its 78th season, is recognized as one of America’s finest pre-professional dance programs. By joining forces as the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), the Symphony and Ballet will build on an accumulated 153 years of history and tradition to present the finest performing arts in the region while reaffirming their shared focus upon education. The Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet will continue to operate as sibling brands under the TAPA umbrella. For more information, please visit www.artstoledo.com.